Predictors of Substance Use Among Vulnerable Adolescents in Five Cities: Findings From the Well-Being of Adolescents in Vulnerable Environments Study

Abstract

Introduction Adolescent substance use has numerous consequences. Our goals in this paper are to compare the prevalence and correlates of substance use among ethnically diverse adolescents. Methods Data are from 2332 adolescents aged 15 – 19 years recruited via respondent driven sampling from disadvantaged settings in five cities. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify correlates of current substance use. Results About half of the respondents were male. Most adolescents (73.4%) were currently enrolled in school; and identified a father (87.6%) and mother (89.6%) -figure and strong peer support (71.9%). About two-thirds reported lifetime use of at least one substance. Overall, the most common substances ever used were alcohol (44.6%), cigarette (26.2%) and marijuana (17.9%). Mean age at first use of alcohol was 14.2±3.1 years. Current alcohol use was highest in Johannesburg (47.4%) and lowest in Delhi (2.1%). The mean age at first use of cigarette was 14.4±2.8 years. Current cigarette smoking was highest in Johannesburg (32.5%) and lowest in Delhi (3.7%). Male gender predicted current alcohol use in all sites, while older age was a predictor in Baltimore. Male gender (Johannesburg and Shanghai), older age (Baltimore and Shanghai) and being out-of-school (Baltimore, Johannesburg and Shanghai) predicted current cigarette smoking. Absence of a caring father figure was predictive of current alcohol use in Baltimore and Shanghai. Strong peer support predicted alcohol (Johannesburg and Shanghai) and cigarette use (Johannesburg). Conclusion Substance use is still a major issue among adolescents around the world underscoring the need for continued research and interventions.

Cigarette Smoking among Out-of-School Adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, North-West Nigeria

“…It is possible, therefore, that given the low-income status of most study respondents; older adolescents may be more responsible for assisting with earning income for the family. As a result, increased age and financial stresses may be contributing to substance use in this population, as shown in previous studies of adolescents [24].…”

Mental Illness and Substance Use Problems in Relation to Homelessness Onset

“…19 According to other studies, 57%-70% of homeless youth reported recent use of alcohol, 20 57%-68% reported recent use of marijuana, 20 and 50% reported prescription drug misuse, 21 rates that are higher than those found in the general population. 22 Homeless youth report using substances to attenuate the negative psychological effects of living on the streets, to reduce depressive symptoms, and to stay awake when they experience difficulty finding a safe place to sleep. 19 Homeless youth are also less likely to seek treatment for substance use compared with housed youth.…”

Social causation and neighborhood selection underlie associations of neighborhood factors with illicit drug-using social networks and illicit drug use among adults relocated from public housing

“…Latkin et al, 1999; Carl A. Latkin et al, 1995; Linas et al, 2015; Linton et al, 2014; Matto et al, 2007; Mennis & Mason, 2010; Olumide et al, 2014; Sterk et al, 2014; Williams & Latkin, 2007). Substance users, however, may “select” the type of neighborhoods where they live and choose the type of people with whom they interact.…”

“…Latkin et al, 1999; Carl A. Latkin et al, 1995; Linas et al, 2015; Matto et al, 2007; Mennis & Mason, 2010; Olumide et al, 2014; Williams & Latkin, 2007) are the most widely documented contextual correlates of illicit drug use. Theories of social causation and social influence, which suggest that neighborhood and social network characteristics are distal causes of illicit drug use, have been used to provide explanations of the mechanisms behind these relationships.…”